CEBU City Mayor Edgardo Labella will ask the court to postpone the demolition of houses standing in a 3,000-square-meter lot in Barangay Tejero that is reportedly owned by a private hospital.

Around 100 families would be affected if the demolition would push through.

Labella said he is asking the court to put on hold the execution of the demolition while the City is still looking for the relocation site.

Most of the families whose houses are scheduled for demolition belong to the Villa Gonzalo Carcelinian Homeowners’ Association (VGCHA). According to VGCHA president Era Fernandez, the affected families’ relocation site was supposed to be a lot purchased by the City. The property is near the lot where the houses subject to demolition stand.

However, the VGCHA members could not transfer to the relocation area as there are other families occupying it. On Monday morning, Dec. 16, 2019, members of VGCHA led by Fernandez sought the help of Labella as they already received a court-issued notice to vacate the private lot.

Labella assured the residents that no demolition would happen as Christmas is drawing near.

Fernandez said the group’s problem dated back to the time of mayor Alvin Garcia.

“We have been fighting for our rights since the time Garcia was mayor from 1995-2001,” she said. (JJL)